It's a one-off Test at the end of a long NRL season, but Kangaroos full-back Billy Slater says Saturday's clash with New Zealand in Townsville is the first step on the road to reclaiming the Rugby League World Cup.

Although Australia's first game of the World Cup, against England in Cardiff, is still 11 months away, Slater said that goal was already firmly in mind as the Kangaroos take on the Cup holders.

"All internationals teams, whether it's the English, the Kiwis, us, they'll all be focusing on the World Cup," Slater said.

"This game is a great preparation leading into this tournament so we are looking forward to performing well on Saturday night and then taking that form with us into the Anzac Test next year.

"There is not a huge prize after Saturday's game, but the World Cup is obviously the prize everyone wants."

While the Kiwis and Australia do battle in Townsville, England are in South Africa in a high altitude training camp with coach Steve McNamara leaving no stone unturned in his bid for glory on home soil.

Kiwis coach Steve Kearney has already put his team on notice by axing big name players such as Manu Vatuvei, Adam Blair and Jared Warea-Hargreaves for Saturday's game.

Blair has since been given a reprieve after Jeremy Smith withdrew through injury, but assistant coach Tony Iro said every player now knew form would outweigh reputation going into such an important year.

"We've got to look ahead to the World Cup and there is not a lot of time to blood new players before it," Iro said.

"This is a chance to give a few boys their debuts, but it is also a reward for their good form this season and in the finals."

One of those form players recalled is Krisnan Inu, who went from the Warriors' reserve grade side to helping Canterbury reach the NRL grand final following his mid-season transfer.

His selection caps off a tumultuous 12 months for the mercurial outside back, who refused to go on last year's Four Nations tour, leaving many to believe his international days were numbered.

"He had his personal reasons last year and we accepted those," Iro said.

"He's been in great touch and we expect him to take that into Saturday's game.